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Boys' Quarterfinal Preview: Wausau West vs. Marquette

By Bill Berg, 02/27/12, 8:03AM CST

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Warriors ready to defend their title

How the Warriors got here

How the Hilltoppers got here


Both Marquette and Wausau West were here just last year, but with very different results. The Hilltoppers lost their opening game to Notre Dame Academy, while Wausau West won three games to claim their first ever State Championship.

Marquette has yet to win a tournament game, having also been one and done in 1996 and 1999. West has been to state 11 previous times, reaching the championship game twice before winning it all last year.

The Hilltoppers return most of their key players from last year, and with another year of experience, Marquette has been a higher scoring team this season. Joe Llaurado (41g, 25a in the regular season) has raised his game this season, and brought Griff Jeszka (19g, 26a) and Kevin Hannigan (12g, 22a) along with him.

Aaron Miller (7g, 14a) and James Lueken (2g, 9a) are the top scoring defensemen. And Mike Roznik (.929 sv%, 1.61 gaa) is the highest rated goalie in the tournament, with the best hair – check his profile picture if you disagree.

Wausau West lost three of their top four scorers from last season to graduation and had their goaltender defect to play junior hockey. But top scoring speedster Kyle Lee (19g, 23a) is back leading the charge, along with Tom Kilgore (16g, 13a) and Tanner Gould (11g, 9a). Freshman phenom Kevin Conley (11g, 7a) took a while to adjust to the high school game, but has been on a tear lately, especially in the playoffs (5g, 3a).

Seth Wage (10g, 22a) and John Feemster (6g, 12a) anchor a stout Warriors defense, but have no trouble jumping up into the offense. Sophomore netminder Sam Wiegert (.922 sv%, 1.95 gaa) has stepped in for the departed Austin Priebe, and put up solid numbers.

BOTTOM LINE: These are the two teams that beat Notre Dame Academy this season, but identical 4-3 scores in overtime. Their regular season scoring numbers are very close, with West at 114 goals scored and 47 allowed, and Marquette at 110-50. So it’s going to be a close game, and if you want to beat the Hilltoppers in a close game you can’t leave Joe Llaurado open in the slot.

Bergler’s Prediction: I don’t think Wausau West will lose track of Llaurado, and they will pick up a 4-3 win, maybe even in overtime.

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